Interlude - Index of

184 | Appendix A
NFServer: Preliminary Specifications
A New Kind of File Server
The NFServer is designed from the ground up to be a dedicated NFS
fileserver. Using an imbedded real­time system, instead of UNIX, it provides
easy administration, high availability, excellent data integrity, and
high performance.
Major Components
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Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Fault­tolerant disk array (RAID) with 1 GB to 16 GB capacity
Fsck­less filesystem for instant boot
Single expandable filesystem partition; grows as disks are added
Custom real­time kernel optimized for NFS
Full­screen administration tool
SNMP agent
Optional second Ethernet interface
Optional tape drive for backup
Major Benefits
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Easy Administration SysAdmin complexity is minimized by
eliminating UNIX, providing a single filesystem
partition that expands as disks are added,
and eliminating implementation­related
configuration choices.
High Availability Single­purpose software (no UNIX, VM, or
user programs), UPS, RAID, and instant
reboot, provide an exceptionally high level of
service availability.
High Performance Eliminating UNIX, and using optimized real
time software that takes advantage of the
UPS, provides the highest per­Ethernet
throughput and lowest response times in the
industry—as measured by SPEC SFS (LADDIS
NFS performance benchmark).
Data Integrity UPS, RAID, and software design provide very
low probability of data loss due to hardware of
software malfunction.